Competency framework
– FAQs
What is the new competency framework?
It’s an updated version of the competency framework
developed for Blueprint 1.0, rather than an entirely new one.
It is designed to help OSH professionals build capability and
keep pace with rapid change in the workplace. It sets the
standard for the skills, knowledge and behaviours required
by OSH professionals managing risk and driving change in
today’s constantly evolving workplace.
The updated competency framework is the result of a
collaborative research project involving a wide range of
stakeholders and drawing on a wealth of data from Blueprint
1.0. There are 69 competencies across 12 areas, grouped into
three categories. Technical competence covers health and
safety law, risk and incident management and new technical
understanding on subjects such as ethical practice, ethical
understanding, human capital and community impact. Core
competence covers good decision-making in the workplace.
Behavioural competence includes communication, working
with stakeholders and personal performance.
How do I use the framework to identify my
development needs?
The updated framework is the starting point for OSH
professionals wishing to build capability by developing their
skills, knowledge and behaviours to the highest standards.
In 2020, we will launch our enhanced ‘professional journey’,
including Blueprint 2.0, a new CPD scheme, new technical
guides and a Career Hub. In the meantime, you can make
use of IOSH resources or sign up for courses which have been
mapped to the new competencies.
Why did the framework need to be updated?
Occupational safety and health as a practice has changed
significantly in the last decade. There are many factors
influencing change, including increased business complexity,
technology, the gig economy and constantly evolving
business processes. As a result, OSH professionals need a
wider range of skills. Our framework needs to reflect this,
so that we can continue to drive the highest standards of
capability within the profession.
Can I still use Blueprint to create a development plan?
Yes. It is still available to use, but please keep in mind that
the range of competencies it tests is not mapped to the new
competency framework.
Will there be an updated version of Blueprint with the
new competencies in it?
Yes. We are currently working on the next version of
Blueprint which will become available to members during
2020. More information on this will follow next year.
IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1NN, UK t +44 (0)116 257 3100 www.iosh.com
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Founded 1945, Incorporated by Royal Charter 2003, Registered charity 1096790
How did the research project for the competency
framework trigger the review of IOSH’s membership
grades?
The research conducted to inform the competency
framework gave clarity to the competencies required and
raised issues around parity with other professions. It indicated
a clear need for IOSH as the Chartered Institution to ensure
that the standards it sets for entry to membership continue
to be relevant to business and wider society.
How does the new competency framework differ from
the original IOSH competency framework for Blueprint?
IOSH’s original competency framework detailed 27
competencies, with the emphasis on technical skills. The
new framework recognises the continuing need for technical
competencies but expands the range of skills, knowledge
and behaviours, as mentioned above. It’s arguably the most
comprehensive competency framework available for the
occupational safety and health sector.
How does IOSH’s competency framework differ from
other competency frameworks for the sector?
Other competency frameworks are available and there are
similarities, particularly around the use of business and
soft skills, but each competency framework is structured
differently and designed to meet a different purpose. What
all the frameworks have in common is a desire to meet the
challenges of a rapidly changing world, while maintaining
the highest standards for the profession. As the Chartered
Institution and leading professional body for occupational
safety and health, IOSH’s standards are respected
worldwide. Our updated competency framework reflects
these standards and is arguably the most comprehensive
competency framework specifically for OSH. Importantly, it
is an actionable framework which can be used by managers
and staff to lead and take responsibility for learning and
development. When combined with the enhanced suite
of practical tools we will be rolling out in 2020, the new
competency framework will help to build capability for the
future.
Will IOSH’s CPD scheme change to reflect the new
competency framework?
Yes. IOSH is currently working on a new, easier-to-use CPD
scheme which will be launched to members during 2020.
The scheme will be aligned with the competency framework
and will help guide members on what competencies to focus
on during their CPD activities. More information on this will
follow next year.
CD0955.6/071019/PDF
Competency framework
– FAQs
I have completed courses in soft skills but none of these
courses have been accredited – does that mean they
won’t count under a new system?
They count under the current CPD scheme if you have
identified a development need in this area and have carried
out your reflective action on what you have learned and
applied. CPD can come in lots of shapes and sizes so doesn’t
necessarily need to be accredited. What is important is how
relevant it is to help you with the skills you need in your
working life and that you reflect on the impact that any
learning has had on your ability to develop and improve in
your role. Any new scheme will uphold these principles.
Who was consulted on the updated competency
framework?
We used primary and secondary data-gathering
methodologies in our extensive six-month research project.
Primary research included focus groups and in-depth
interviews with employers and a representative sample of
IOSH members, combined with analysis of a huge bank of
data within Blueprint 1.0, our self-assessment tool. This gave
us 250,000 data sets to analyse, from over 10,000 users in
111 countries.
How will members be expected to prove proficiency in
each competency? What evidence will IOSH need?
Competency frameworks, by their very nature, are usually
quite large as they have to cover the skills, knowledge
and behaviours that any type and level of practitioner in
our profession may require. So don’t worry – you are not
expected to be proficient in every competency! However,
competency frameworks can act as a guide for CPD. If you
are looking to develop yourself in a particular area, you can
refer to them to see what you need to do in each area.
The evidence of competence IOSH currently needs, to enter
as a Chartered member, can be found at www.iosh.com/
membership/professional-development/ipd/.
This consultation process ensures that our standards remain
relevant to our membership and their employers. We are
consulting in stages, initially asking a wide range of questions
through the October 2019 member survey, then through
a deeper dive in focus groups with members, employers,
representatives from higher education, recruiters and other
key OSH stakeholders, such as regulators. This will allow
IOSH to see if there are any key differences between the
current standards and what our members and stakeholders
have told us. If there is a difference, we will describe it to the
membership and continue with a further round of consultation.
IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1NN, UK t +44 (0)116 257 3100 www.iosh.com
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Founded 1945, Incorporated by Royal Charter 2003, Registered charity 1096790
We have therefore not prescribed any future changes to the
current regime at this time. The reason that we have shared
our updated competency framework is that this was an
earlier indicator to us that things had changed, and a trigger
for the consultation process.
Will there be a financial cost for reviewing these
competencies, both at the start and as we progress to
fulfil the requirements of the grade we are currently at?
Access to the competency framework is open to all members,
at no charge. Members can choose how they fulfil their
CPD requirements so any costs associated with achieving
competency would vary from member to member (as is the
case now). IOSH has been working hard to produce a lot of
new content and we will be offering a wide range of new,
free CPD support materials for members next year as part
of our enhanced suite of tools and resources. We will be
announcing further details soon.
What is IOSH doing to ensure that recruitment agencies
and employers understand the competency framework?
We are working closely with recruitment agencies to make
sure they understand what the competencies mean and how
they can align their own frameworks with IOSH. Through
focus groups, we are seeking to understand what demand
they are seeing for certain skills, to make sure any potential
changes reflect reality in the employment market.
Does IOSH’s competency framework map to INSHPO’s?
There are certainly similarities and rightly so, because IOSH
and INSHPO are partners and both organisations are working
to a common aim of raising standards within our profession.
IOSH’s first competency framework, designed for Blueprint
1.0, was already in use when INSHPO released its framework.
This updated version is a necessary move by IOSH, as the
Chartered body for occupational safety and health, to ensure
that its competency framework is aligned with the needs of
OSH professionals and employers today. We are fortunate to
have been able to draw on the foundations of Blueprint 1.0
with our updated framework.
Will the competencies be weighted?
The framework does not weight competencies as different
roles will require different combinations of competencies.
CD0955.6/071019/PDF